Extensive travel disruptions expected due to M74 closure this weekend

John A. MacInnes

Road users are being warned they face major disruption to their travel plans this weekend as Traffic Scotland announce a full closure of the M74.

Drivers are being warned to stay off the roads network unless their journey is imperative, and while diversions are in place, these are also expected to be severely congested.

As part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, the M74 will be closed to traffic in both directions from 8pm on Friday, November 18 to 6am on Monday, November 21. This closure is required to safely demolish Bothwellpark Road Bridge.

The bridge, located to the north of M74 Junction 5, Raith, is the final structure to be demolished as part of this £500m infrastructure improvement project which is being delivered by Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland Project Manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “This is the most significant road closure we have implemented as part of the works and we are anticipating major delays on all approaches, the surrounding roads and the main diversion route.

“We are advising road users to plan their journey, avoid the area and surrounding local roads, and if possible, to use alternative modes of transport for the weekend.”

The weekend closure will result in no access from the M73 to the M74 southbound at Junction 4 Maryville or to the M74 northbound at Junction 5, Raith.

Signed diversion routes will be in place via the A725, A8 and the M73, although Transport Scotland is warning road users to expect major delays on all surrounding routes as a result of the closure.

Further information on this closure can be obtained at http://www.transport.gov.scot/m74closure

First Glasgow has announced a number of temporary bus service changes due to the planned closure of a section of the M74 this weekend.

The bus operator said the closure of the M74 north of the Raith Interchange will result in the suspension of express services X1 and X11 between Newmains or Hamilton and Glasgow, with the provision of additional services where possible. First Glasgow staff will be positioned at bus stops to assist passengers.

Saturday, 19 November

Service X1 will continue to operate but will be suspended between Hamilton town centre and Glasgow. It will operate every hour between High Earnock, Davington Drive and Hamilton town centre.

Service X1 passengers can transfer to Services 255 ,263 and 267 between Quarry Street and Hamilton Bus Station.

Service X11 will be suspended.

Sunday, 20 November 2016

Service X11 will be suspended.

Alternative First Glasgow services are:

Hamilton and Glasgow

Services 255, 263 and 267 from Hamilton Bus Station.

Newmains, Wishaw, Motherwell and Glasgow

Services 241 and 266 to Motherwell West Hamilton Street and transfer to and from service 240 for Glasgow.

Service 266 to Hamilton Bus Station and transfer to and from services 255, 263 and 267 for Glasgow.

Hamilton Bus Station stances:

Service 255 – Stance 5

Service 263 - Stance 8

Service 267 – Stance 7

Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station stances:

Service 240 - Stance 22

Service 255 - Stance 21

Service 263 - Stance 19

Service 267 – Stance 20

First Glasgow Interim Manager Director, Alex Perry, said: “Transport Scotland has advised all road users to expect major delays during the demolition of the Bothwellpark Road Bridge on the M74 this weekend.

“First Glasgow has sought to maintain services during the closure period but this has not been possible for all routes. We urge passengers to plan ahead and heed the information from Transport Scotland and other agencies during the weekend roadworks.”

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